[{"_1":2,"_111":-5,"_112":-5},"loaderData",{"_3":4,"_26":27},"root",{"_5":6,"_17":10,"_18":19,"_20":21,"_22":10,"_23":-5,"_24":-5,"_25":10},"user",{"_7":8,"_9":10,"_11":10,"_12":-5,"_13":-5,"_14":15,"_16":-5},"roles",[],"isAuthenticated",false,"isPremium","planName","subscriptionStatus","featureFlags",{},"insightsBudget","isDevelopmentHost","userPreferences",{},"recaptchaSiteKey","6LcvOJcUAAAAAHsB-gPGfGktcRlKpH7OTIU_dMTD","isImpersonating","impersonation","affiliateStatus","isFreedomPortal","routes/v2/article/layout",{"_28":29,"_30":31},"notFound",true,"relatedArticles",[32,75,87,99],{"_33":34,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":40,"_41":42,"_43":44,"_45":46,"_47":48,"_49":50,"_51":52,"_53":54,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":60,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":66,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},"mediaId",6145791,"mediaKeyId","5530617-6e2f90e79607723bac8033dfba5ca116","parentId",5530617,"title","Public commenters urge Missoula to stop fining people experiencing homelessness and to prioritize shelter capacity","audioSeconds",400,"startMs",3522000,"endMs",3922000,"viewUrl","/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530617-6e2f90e79607723bac8033dfba5ca116&start=3522&end=3922","thumbnailUrl","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530617-6e2f90e79607723bac8033dfba5ca116/thumbnail_3522000.jpg","articleUrl","/articles/6145791/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Public-commenters-urge-Missoula-to-stop-fining-people-experiencing-homelessness-and-to-prioritize-shelter-capacity","mediaUrl","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145791-2860c2470112c9c071bba667f1b8301d/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024894&Signature=nFvx7UBsQg-R3f2MCi48DGDvMeOmToI2bVWlN4KDCPSPBWatBpYhO62ZgHPa3ToZzeGDyKh8gBgHpPEQbnHaJowtx9QVDOcq9v0eWlAvKisgX7cv1guQhRhEh0f~ymX0qh4zaC4cBagtre-iJyXEs7eHwajpbtqhUO9wcPfL49Rcia16DOHLaNFtIaVqs3z22XW-udu7rvKjn04JeWNXuMHEB2vIVfKRr2~KxABaRevrMahWyAH3lYG8GDTIqiWdGQvMWUKNd5D5jXRoj0vehIxZYaGh6F9mxRb0DZWZ6pwbO9L7UAggSTzupLdTXccliRzOH-LNwYD~vxAiiF0gHg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","author","City of Missoula, MT","date","2025-08-05T10:14:49.08Z","article","Multiple members of the public spoke during Aug. 4 public comment, urging the City of Missoula to change enforcement and shelter policies affecting people experiencing homelessness.

Sage Bennett, speaking “solely” for herself, told council the Johnson Street and Paparello shelters are essential and that closing shelters will force hundreds of people outdoors, where extreme heat or cold can be life‑threatening. Bennett criticized enforcement that results in fines and said, “At the very least, if you're not gonna put another shelter in place ... could you at least stop fining people $50 a day for trying to survive in our community?”

Bennett also said the $50 daily fines impose barriers to obtaining housing because they consume limited funds that would otherwise go toward rental application fees and other costs.

Commenter Kaye (identified on the record as “Big Kay / Kaye Montana”) described personal health impacts linked to community conditions and expressed alarm at what she characterized as threats from nearby individuals; her comments were a personal account rather than a policy proposal.

Savannah Geary (online) echoed the earlier remarks and asked the city to improve public‑facing materials, saying many agenda documents are dense and would benefit from plain‑language summaries so everyday residents can understand what the council is considering.

Nut graf: Public commenters asked the council to stop or reconsider enforcement practices that fine unhoused people for camping and to ensure shelter capacity is available before closures; they also requested clearer, plain‑language agenda materials so the public can engage directly with council business.

The comments were received during the public comment period; no formal council action occurred during the Aug. 4 meeting on enforcement policy or shelter funding.","mediaType","Video","parentTitle","Missoula City Council Meeting August 4, 2025","oneSentenceSummary","Several members of the public told council that closing shelters and issuing $50‑a‑day fines for camping harms unhoused residents and urged the city to expand shelter capacity or stop fining people who are surviving outdoors.","taxTitle","Missoula, Missoula County, Montana","taxId",4050,"location","headline","","shortSummary",{"_33":76,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":77,"_41":78,"_43":79,"_45":80,"_47":81,"_49":82,"_51":83,"_53":84,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":85,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":86,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145796,"Council sets Aug. 25 public hearing on assessments for completed sidewalk, curb and gutter projects",594,2695000,3289000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530617-6e2f90e79607723bac8033dfba5ca116&start=2695&end=3289","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530617-6e2f90e79607723bac8033dfba5ca116/thumbnail_2695000.jpg","/articles/6145796/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Council-sets-Aug-25-public-hearing-on-assessments-for-completed-sidewalk-curb-and-gutter-projects","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145796-24b13a3fa3a27c67aaa2f78f2b49fa1a/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024894&Signature=hj-94KqxWAfaous8bxgUC~Dq8CZpJJBSNls5DXPOaNrtHuacN4MxuIv45f58sC0DcHwJEkxV6i5keEU708sAVr3yYdcrTwRhvpXeFcElx7RH2qLb30bm3L3D0jsHZGc80tnOfKjJR7nmaP1CGchgJvxEyT2zXi4V5r4p60eniDCBZXOgHQBeNFs1iwhCyVpY-1kLAf6epSR2Bnxzo~IxFdXfN1BNbCAOfD2gt05JIMYvKcd1ef3muFJVja8LGqXm31OEVEJ3u2pKbngr2SZlaCvvcS2bqAa9PVjnsndr0MGCXjP43BNsAaCOkHzJIe3iQZYDM7-JowZEZ6ZGESNTxg__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula City Council on Aug. 4 set a public hearing for Aug. 25, 2025, to consider levying assessments to repay completed sidewalk, curb, gutter and alley approach work on multiple projects. Lee Griffin explained the items are for work council previously ordered and completed; the list includes Wharton Turner right of way improvements, Ivy and Franklin Phase 1 right of way improvements and several miscellaneous assessment parcels.

Griffin said staff will publish notices in the Missoulian twice and mail notice of the assessment to parcel owners. Because the assessed dollar amount is small, staff said the city plans to use internal financing for the assessments and will bring two resolutions forward on Aug. 25: an assessment resolution (with a public hearing) and a financing resolution which the council could place on consent.

Councilor Bob Campbell and Councilor Kristen Jordan requested maps showing the benefited parcels rather than only lists of names and addresses; staff agreed to ask Public Works to prepare maps for the Aug. 20 committee discussion and the Aug. 25 hearing.

Nut graf: The action sets the formal, statutory notice and hearing steps required before the city can levy and collect assessments from benefited property owners for completed sidewalk work; individual assessment lists and maps will be provided ahead of the Aug. 25 hearing.

The motion read by Vice President Mirta Becerra set the public hearing; council did not take a final assessment vote on Aug. 4. The motion as read included financial figures in the motion language; staff will return with the assessment schedule and parcel maps for public review at the August committee and council hearings.","Council set a public hearing for Aug. 25 to consider levying assessments to recover costs of completed sidewalk, curb, gutter and alley approach work on several right‑of‑way projects, with staff to mail notices and publish assessments for affected parcels.",{"_33":88,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":89,"_41":90,"_43":91,"_45":92,"_47":93,"_49":94,"_51":95,"_53":96,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":97,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":98,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145800,"Council approves master lease purchase agreement allowing up to $7.3M in equipment financings",492,2407000,2899000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530617-6e2f90e79607723bac8033dfba5ca116&start=2407&end=2899","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530617-6e2f90e79607723bac8033dfba5ca116/thumbnail_2407000.jpg","/articles/6145800/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Council-approves-master-lease-purchase-agreement-allowing-up-to-73M-in-equipment-financings","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145800-1f0101f6c12d168084a65c3308fa0d54/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024894&Signature=ZATsFNRs-ESAVmvlFBZE4w8OhBAoqfBcf6x1lYk0oLLKbbYded1RkOrEw6K8fg7e7aqrC4TKY5gvZWJ87Q9ukRzBXiJSKD8Uh63F8YeapijuU4GwRctmZrzcuzZd5f79yS-tLHEwofwOmG8PngaaTdL-0qhmGcm4dk~Qvy~eoTghCxWFRuQ-jsNSKnKX~xRqrUgaUdNfw5PmVuyP7Stjih~FruANCOVbpOja0f8UMIjmnOSz1ltDXLqK~ezxFCcoHXr-d77yAQGJFyQquatUmHUl1vYMvxjGWKmRqFqfFT2fg8MqeiG~NlpYWLiw03uK-IF08GnSnzP1ivN7dKOp4Q__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","The Missoula City Council on Aug. 4 approved a resolution authorizing a master lease purchase agreement and lease schedule to finance designated capital items. The motion, read and moved by Vice President Mirta Becerra, passed unanimously after roll call.

Lee Griffin, who presented the measure to council, said the city issued a request for proposals and selected JPMorgan Chase Bank as lessor with Baker Tilly as financial advisor and Dorsey & Whitney as bond counsel. Griffin told council the financing resolution authorizes a rate‑lock and sets the financing parameters: principal not to exceed $7,300,000, a true interest cost not to exceed 4.95% and a maximum term of 15 years aligned with the useful life of financed equipment.

The council took no public comment on the item and approved the resolution by roll call. Mirta Becerra read the motion: “I move that we approve a resolution approving the forms of a master lease purchase agreement and lease schedule, authorizing the execution and delivery of a rate lock agreement subject to certain parameters and authorizing the execution and delivery of the master lease purchase agreement, lease schedule, and related documents.” The roll call recorded unanimous approval by those present.

Nut graf: The approved master lease gives the city a structured, pre‑approved financing vehicle to acquire equipment and other capital items up to the stated limits without returning for a separate financing resolution for each acquisition; it locks financing parameters now to streamline later transactions.

The resolution instructs staff to finalize the rate‑lock and execute related documents within the approved parameters. Council did not list a separate repayment schedule in the Aug. 4 action; staff indicated the annual budget will appropriate the debt service as part of the routine adopted appropriations.","Missoula City Council voted unanimously to approve a master lease purchase agreement and lease schedule that authorizes borrowing parameters including a principal cap of $7.3 million, a maximum true interest cost of 4.95% and terms up to 15 years.",{"_33":100,"_35":36,"_37":38,"_39":101,"_41":102,"_43":103,"_45":104,"_47":105,"_49":106,"_51":107,"_53":108,"_55":56,"_57":58,"_59":109,"_61":62,"_63":64,"_65":110,"_67":68,"_69":70,"_71":68,"_72":73,"_74":73},6145804,"Missoula council opens FY2026 budget hearing; projects modest tax increase and $121.5 million in property-tax‑funded spending",1127,352000,1479000,"/Search/View?dp=1&key=5530617-6e2f90e79607723bac8033dfba5ca116&start=352&end=1479","https://assets.pipeline.soar.com/5530617-6e2f90e79607723bac8033dfba5ca116/thumbnail_352000.jpg","/articles/6145804/Missoula/Missoula-County/Montana/Missoula-council-opens-FY2026-budget-hearing-projects-modest-tax-increase-and-1215-million-in-property-taxfunded-spending","https://secure.pipeline.soar.com/6145804-cc4f010ec1fe9a847386d631e4cbb65f/orig.mp4?Expires=1771024894&Signature=J7Mz9NZp4P6YnMTAbESpOOMhJl9WZklxL4Q-QOnqoVSz3-OY4p~kb5nwB4uhFadJDAQOsf6CPRaoGjqIKwfdpxG7FZYsPik1c6bLGe5i~~Xky0aUPGlFfKx1ml6HD1-Qnk~BViSS1Bb53ZbBmO9HZv4p~BlvHfSx6086fLDVHmF4cRT9Iw4GeD~4RsSsUkNh3uSXiJEpsQ~ohiErgmhYDIO3o4D9lcTnbshbCeEGBFFkq89hlSkYkBFp~OaEyl7N48Gs0WNn0iCJwWCvWpt8zZt0qlf0fFiS3~u5vqNjKgXZIKMftFoSpG7TWehZ32UTqWk6HE2AYq9UBHK5ESGMoA__&Key-Pair-Id=KUT5TJCACFTXG","Missoula City Council opened the public hearing on the proposed fiscal year 2026 budget on Aug. 4, 2025, after a staff presentation from Chief Administrative Officer Dale Bickle. The hearing covers the annual appropriations and the capital improvement program and will remain open until council considers final adoption on Aug. 18, 2025.

Bickle said the mayor’s budget emphasizes “a commitment to financial sustainability, a responsible investment, and a responsible public service,” and that the administration used a “cost of living lens” when reviewing department requests. “We are projecting about a $2,400,000 savings over budgeted appropriations in the general fund,” Bickle said.

The budget package presented to council totals about $200 million when utilities, the Missoula Redevelopment Agency and the parking commission are included. Bickle said the property‑tax‑funded portion of expenditures — including the general fund, road district, park district, fire initiative, and conservation lands maintenance levy — totals about $121,500,000.

City staff told council they expect a roughly 3.5% increase in property‑tax‑funded revenues that would generate about $4.4 million in new property tax revenue. According to the presentation, 79% of that projected new revenue would fund wage increases for existing employees and the next largest share would cover contractual inflationary costs such as utilities and software contracts. Bickle said the mayor’s budget would not rely on using fund balance to manage operations in FY26 and that the administration is not planning to use property taxes to add certain new positions, instead shifting other funding sources such as gas tax and grants where appropriate.

Councilors asked for additional, narrower slides showing only the general fund breakdown and for more detail on how increases for public safety wages interact with the recent fire levy. Bickle said staff will provide updated slides and more detailed figures at the continued hearing sessions and committee meetings on Aug. 6 and Aug. 11.

The staff presentation also outlined a list of ongoing capital projects, including signal and roundabout construction, the federally funded South Avenue Safe Streets for All planning, trail lighting paid by the Missoula Redevelopment Agency, work on the Engen Building (abatement planned in FY26 funded through Brownfields funds), Fire Station 6 site work, Public Works consolidation at West Broadway, and composting expansion funded with ARPA dollars. Bickle said water main replacements will ramp up toward a $10 million annual investment goal.

Staff noted one‑time components and remittance issues tied to tax increment financing: Bickle said the mayor’s budget includes about $3 million of additional one‑time revenue to help balance FY26, of which roughly $1 million is for directly eligible infrastructure expenses and roughly $2 million is a remittance to the city’s general fund; he said the total remittance across taxing jurisdictions related to the URTs is expected to be in the neighborhood of $6 million. Bickle cautioned that certified taxable values were received the afternoon of Aug. 4 and staff were still “crunching the numbers.”

Nut graf: The hearing opens the formal public process that will allow Council and the public multiple opportunities in August to review, amend and ultimately adopt the administration’s FY2026 revenue, spending and capital plan; staff emphasized the budget’s focus on service sustainability, wage increases and targeted capital investment while trying to limit the property tax impact.

The council opened the hearing for public comment on the FY2026 items (5.1–5.6) and recorded that no members of the public in the chambers or online wished to speak at that time. The hearing will be continued at committee meetings and additional council hearings on Aug. 6, Aug. 11 and Aug. 13, with adoption currently scheduled for Aug. 18, 2025.","City staff opened a public hearing on the fiscal year 2026 budget, presenting a roughly $200 million operating plan, an anticipated 3.5% property‑tax increase concentrated on wages and contractual costs, and plans to keep the hearing open through Aug. 18 for further deliberation.","actionData","errors"]

Article not found

Public commenters urge Missoula to stop fining people experiencing homelessness and to prioritize shelter capacity

Council sets Aug. 25 public hearing on assessments for completed sidewalk, curb and gutter projects

Council approves master lease purchase agreement allowing up to $7.3M in equipment financings

Missoula council opens FY2026 budget hearing; projects modest tax increase and $121.5 million in property-tax‑funded spending